POS1363 CIRCULATING GALECTIN-1 LEVELS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH KNEE AND/OR HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS – A HALLOA STUDY
Authors: M. Andersson, M. Zimmerman, E. Brogren, S. Bergman, E. Fryk, L. Strinberg, P. A. Jansson
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Circulating galectin-1 levels are associated with metabolic diseases including obesity, diabetes type II, and subclinical inflammation [1]. These medical conditions are often seen as comorbidities of osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees and hands. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim was to study longitudinal associations between circulating galectin-1 levels and radiographic knee OA (RKOA), radiographic hand OA (RHOA), and general OA (GOA, RKOA and RHOA). <h3>Methods</h3> This longitudinal study included 232 individuals from the Halland osteoarthritis cohort (HALLOA) (2) with knee radiographs at inclusion and at a two-year follow-up. Of the included individuals, 211 had hand radiographs at the two-year follow-up. Body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Visceral fat area (VFA) was assessed by bioimpedance (InBody 770). Serum/plasma levels of HbA1c, glucose, and C-reactive protein (CRP)≥1.0 mg/L were measured according to the current laboratory standards in Sweden. CRP below 1.0 mg/L, was further analysed with a sensitive CRP ELISA method (Abnova). Insulin resistance was assessed by the triglyceride glucose index (TyG). Galectin-1, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alfa using Quantikine, ELISA (bio-techne, United Kingdom). RKOA was defined according to Ahlbäck, as grade 1 or more in at least one knee at two years follow-up; RHOA was defined according to Kellgren and Lawrence as grade 2 or more in at least one joint at two years follow-up. GOA was defined as having RKOA and RHOA. Comparisons between groups at inclusion were performed using Mann-Whitney U test, chi-2, and univariate Logistic regression models for associations. <h3>Results</h3> At the two-year follow-up, 34% of the included individuals had RKOA, 42% had RHOA, and 50 individuals had GOA. Individuals with RKOA were older, more obese, and had higher median serum levels of HbA1c, CRP, and IL-6, but no increased serum level of galectin-1, Table 1. Age (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.06-1.17) obesity (WC OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.06) and galectin-1 (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.003-1.08) were associated with RKOA. Those with RHOA were older and had increased serum levels of HbA1c, galectin-1, TyG index, and IL-6, Table 1. Age (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.14-1.28), HbA1c (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.01-1.21), and galectin-1 (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.10) were associated with RHOA. Individuals with GOA were older, more obese, had more inflammation, and increased levels of HbA1c and galectin-1, table 1. Age (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.18-1.45) and galectin-1 (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01-1.12) were associated with GOA. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Circulating galectin-1 seems to associate with OA, especially RHOA. More studies are needed to assess a potential underlying pathophysiological mechanism of galectin-1 in OA. <h3>References</h3> [1]Fryk E, et al. Metabol Open. 2019;4:100017 [2]Andersson MLE, et al. BMJ open. 2022;12(7):e057086. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.